Towson, MD - Piedmont College women's soccer player #LAURA GOODWIN# has been named to the Capital One Academic All-American Team after posting a stellar 2013 senior season for the Lady Lions leading the program to its first-ever USA South Tournament Championship as well as a second appearance in the NCAA National Tournament in three years.  Goodwin is just the second Piedmont student-athlete to ever be named to the Academic All-American team joining former women's soccer player Justine Clay who earned the honor in 2011 after PC's last NCAA appearance in women's soccer.

"#LAURA GOODWIN# is a representation of what Piedmont holds high as a NCAA Division III institution which is a student-athlete who is not only competitive in their respective sport, but also in the classroom as a student first," stated Piedmont Director of Intercollegiate Athletics John Dzik.  "Over the years, we have had many great academic honors awarded to many individual student-athletes, but to be named a Capital One Academic All-American stands out as one of the finest that a student-athlete from our institution can receive.  We are extremely proud of Laura's accomplishment and hope that this sets the bar for future Piedmont student-athletes."

"I feel so honored to receive this award and represent Piedmont in such a positive light," said Goodwin of her award. "My four years at Piedmont have been four of the best years of my life.  I am so lucky that I found a college that allows me the opportunity to earn the degree I love while playing the sport I love. I am overwhelmed with the constant support of not only the athletic department, but also the support of all my professors."

Better known as "Goody" to her teammates, Laura is one of just 11 women's soccer players to earn 1st Team Academic All-American status from across all of NCAA Division III posting a 3.89 GPA in Early Childhood Education.  Goodwin's accomplishments in the classroom included membership in Sigma Alpha Pi academic honor society as well as being named a Dean's Scholar in three different semesters.  As the editor of the yearbook at PC, Laura also made the Dean's List in the spring of 2012 and was named to the AD Honor Roll in 2012. 

"I'm very proud of Laura to have earned this prestigious honor being named our second-ever Academic All-American," said Head Women's Soccer Coach Stephen Andrew of his senior forward's accomplishment. "'Goody' has set a premier example of how we expect the Lady Lions to carry themselves both in the classroom and on the field.  Her academic accomplishments have set her up for success when she leaves Piedmont, and we are very proud to have had her as a shining example of a student-athlete here at Piedmont."

"Goody" was a senior forward on yet another NCAA National Tournament participant from the women's soccer program at Piedmont, her second such appearance in a four-year career.  Goodwin played in three conference finals during her time as a Lady Lion helping her to team to wins in two of them bringing both a Great South Athletic Conference Championship home in 2011 as well as a USA South title in this the 2013 season.  For PC, the USA South Tournament Championship is the first for the school since the institution joined the league in the fall of 2012.

A native of Snellville, Georgia, Goodwin saved her best statistical season for last scoring 17 goals and tabbing seven assists to total 41 points setting new career highs in total points in a season as well as goals in a season.  Goodwin was second in the league in scoring finishing just one goal shy of USA South Player of the Year Sandra Johansson of Averett while also placing second in total points.  In the final four weekend of the USA South championships, "Goody" scored two goals and tabbed an assist to be named Tournament MVP helping Piedmont to the title by scoring the first goal in both the semifinal and final. 

"I feel blessed to have been a part of the soccer team which has become my second family," said Goodwin of her time at Piedmont. "I owe all of my success on the field to the greatest coaches I have ever played for, who have pushed me to be better on and off the field.  I would like to thank my family and friends for always motivating me as well as my mom, Pam, for being my number one fan."

To be eligible for Capital One Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director. In addition, nominated student-athletes must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's matches at their respective positions.

Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 19,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports. For more information about the Academic All-America® Teams program, please visit www.cosida.com.